2. digital
  3. 162214-147917

Music streamers

My question is About music streamers in general. My current setup is a Laptop connected to my integrated job amp through usb. I was wondering if I should replace my laptop with a dedicated streamer without a Dac cuz my int already had one. So purely speaking about the difference between a dedicated streamer and a laptop. Does a streamer have a tangible improvement than a laptop? Just on the audio quality is there a tangible improvement. If yes plz suggest me some good ones below 1000usd. I’m currently eyeing the lindenmann limetree bridge. Thank you 
parvatham
jrwaudio
358 posts
 
I use the Audiolab 6000N wi fi  streamer and the cost is $600 it uses DTS Play-Fi for the user interface that l control with my Samsung S10 phone Easy peasy Play- Fi supports lots of music streaming services and It has a fairly good internal Sabre DAC . In my system l bypass to my Exogal Comet plus DAC 
It does not have a display,  but does have six programmable buttons on the front. No display for me is a non issue as everything is very well controlled with Play-Fi through my phone or iPad 
x5owner1
20 posts
 
It’s actually very easy to beat the Bluesound. Rpi4 w/RoPieee XL + Topping D10s + Tidal/Qobuz/Amazon HD streaming directly from your iPhone via AirPlay 2. $200 all in. 
duckworp's avatar
duckworp
262 posts
 
To the OP - The Limetree bridge you are considering I don’t think is USB. I’d consider the two Roon ready (in case one day you might try Roon) commercial Raspberry Pi based models -
1, Stack Audio Link II
2. Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra
or
3. SOtM ultra 200

The Pro-ject has Volumio software integrated into it, which is a decent interface for streaming services. All are less than $1000 in Europe.
I compared these three to the Auralic Aries G1 (an expensive bridge) and could not detect any difference in sound quality.


johnspain
42 posts
 
I have ditched my preamp and have been extremely happy with my CocktailAudio X45Pro into my Classe amp into my Magnepan 3.7i..  AMAZING SOUND!
richtruss
163 posts
 
I used a cheap streamer that I highly recommend. The Allo USBridge Signature. That would leave you a nice chunk of Wonga to buy a decent USB lead, which would be essential to make it really good. Control it with Bubble UPNP.
More to discover